They are specialised in Highly Integrated UAV Software & Hardware Solutions for Unmanned Systems

Autopilot

Piccolo Highly Integrated Autopilots are a leap forward over other avionics systems. They provide a complete, off the shelf avionics system solution including the core autopilot, flight sensors, navigation, wireless communication, and payload interfaces, all in a small, highly integrated, and inexpensive package. See the Piccolo System History and Overview document for a short developmental history and overview of the Piccolo autopilot system.
Piccolo Plus - Full featured autopilot - 212g complete.
Piccolo II - Expanded I/O option for payload intensive applications - 233g complete.
Piccolo LT - Smallest option for applications where volume and weight are critical - 109g complete.
See the Video section of the Autopilots Download page for a demonstration of autonomous take off and landings and moving net precision recoveries using the Piccolo II Autopilot.
Advanced Avionics System Functionality
With the latest Piccolo software version, our autopilots offer advanced system functionality, including:

Completely autonomous operation with runway, balloon, or catapult launch and runway or net auto-land.
Common software for all autopilot options.
GPS/INS with aided AHRS backup for graceful degradation in GPS denied environments.

Plug and play support of peripherals including transponders, magnetometers, sat-comm modems, RTK GPS receivers, laser altimeters, and flight termination.
Radio frequency options for internal data links.
Auto Assist manual flight modes.
Flexible drag and drop flight plan generation and updates.
Powerful simulation tools. Single CPU software simulation in addition to complete system Hardware-In-the-Loop (HWIL) simulation, requiring less control law tuning.
Included in FAA type certified and NAVAIR certified integrations.

A Piccolo Autopilot System includes the following:
Piccolo Avionics (any option).
Ground Station: Portable and desk top Ground Station kit options provide the hardware elements needed to support system operator interface setups.
Developer's Kit: Provides the parts required to operate the Piccolo in the HWIL bench simulation environment.
Aircraft Integration Support Items: CCT will help define an applicable set of aircraft integration items on a project specific basis. See the Accessories Page for more information.

Applications
Fixed wing and helicopter UAVs
Hand launched UAVs
Integrated in gas, electric, and non-powered aircraft
Payload Intensive UAV integrations
Range safety monitors or Independent telemetry sources

Developers Kit

The Piccolo Developer's Kit provides the parts needed to operate the Piccolo in a Hardware-In-Loop (HIL) bench simulation environment. HIL simulation is a cornerstone of unmanned aircraft development. Well-designed simulators allow the aircraft control laws and mission functionality to be tested without risking hardware in flight test

The TASE Gimbal Developer's Kit provides first time TASE Gimbal users all the parts needed for setting up the gimbal in a lab environment for bench-top testing and facilitating vehicle integration.

Payloads-Gimbals

With the latest Piccolo software version, our gimbals offer advanced system functionality, including:

Inertial sensors and GPS receiver for standalone operation. Control and stabilization implementation leverages off of the Piccolo autopilot design.
Common software for all Gimbal options.
GPS/INS with aided AHRS backup for graceful degradation in GPS denied environments.
GPS/INS with aided AHRS backup for optimized stabilization performance and graceful degradation in denied GPS environment.
Joystick control, fixed track of commanded Lat/Lon and terrain aware geo-location of image center.
Large camera payload volume to support custom camera integrations.
The Gimbal UI control application provides full featured gimbal control and video display/recording operation. Advanced feature plug-ins provide object tracking and localization and simulation/training interfaces.
Gimbal developer's kit provides bench test cables, USB joystick, video card, and gimbal control software.

Applications
Small surveillance UAVs
Aerial surveying and mapping
Unmanned surface vehicles
Atmospheric science applications

The TASE Gimbal is a very small stabilized gimbal ideally suited for single camera tracking applications. It comes with a 25-Pin Micro-D pigtail connector, desk mount, and the appropriate documentation and software.

Key Features
4.4 inch diameter turret.
Pan over Tilt configuration.
See currently supported list of imager payloads below.  Other imagers and payloads can also be supported – call us to discuss the steps to integrate a customer specified payload. Novel gimbal design minimizes the rotating mass and turret size

The TASE Duo is a scaled up version of the TASE gimbal. It includes the 324x256 FLIR Photon Core II IR Camera, and an FCB-EX980 Sony Block Camera. The TASE DUO Gimbal provides another powerful payload solution for the system integrator.

Key Features
5 inch diameter turret. Overall package size is 5 x 5 x 7.7 inches. Weight 1060g
Provides both EO and IR cameras in single gimbal package
Mounting and electrical interfaces identical to TASE gimbal
Gimbal includes inertial sensors and GPS receiver for standalone operation. Control and stabilization implementation leverages off of the Piccolo autopilot design
Gimbal Developer's Kit provides bench test cables, USB joystick, video card, and basic gimbal control software

Piccolo's Ground Station is based upon the same hardware that makes up the airborne component of the system. The ground station is responsible for managing the wireless link to one or more Piccolo avionics, sampling the manual pilot console, supplying differential GPS corrections to the avionics, and serving as a bridge to the operator interface. For a detailed description of the ground stations communications functions see Communications for the Piccolo Avionics.

 
We offers two types of ground stations, the Desktop Ground Station and the Portable Ground Station.
The Desktop Ground Station is optimized for use in an indoor, lab type environment. The Portable Ground Station is transportable, and well suited for typical flight operation field environments.

Both Piccolo Ground Station Kits include a ground station unit and all of the cables and antennas needed to support both laboratory and flight operations of the Piccolo system. The customer is responsible for providing the user interface computer.

The Portable Ground Station Kit provides a Piccolo Ground Station incorporated into an 18 x 14 x 7 inch case that is portable and more suitable for field operations than the desk top unit. All interface connections and control switches are provided on the outside of the case and associated cables and antennas fit within the case. Provisions are included for mounting an alternate link radio and Iridium satellite communications modem.

The Portable Ground Station kit includes the following items: 
- Portable Ground Station
- AC Power Cord
- Piccolo GPS Antenna 114 inches long
- PGS-External Pilot Console Harness
- Sermos to Alligator Clip Cable
- Portable GS Accessories Bag
- 9-pin Serial Cable
- 900 MHz Ground Station Antenna
- Piccolo Interface Power Adapter Cable
- PGS Aux DC Cable
- Sermos to Cigarette Lighter Cable

The Desktop Ground Station Kit is optimized for use in an indoor, lab type environment. The Desktop Ground Station Kit includes the following items:
 
- Desktop Ground Station
- Desktop Power Supply
- AC Power Cord
- Ground Station GPS Antenna
- Pilot Console Cable
- 900 MHz Ground Station Antenna
- 9 Pin Serial Cable

The Crista inertial sensors are small small 3-axis devices that provide calibrated rate and acceleration data using the latest MEMS technology. Developed in support of the Piccolo autopilot and TASE gimbal inertial data requirements, the CCT family of inertial sensors have been provided as stand alone products for customers requiring calibrated, MEMS grade assemblies for incorporation into their system designs.

Crista IMU – A small inertial sensor assembly with RS232 and CAN interface.

Crista Sensor Head – A very small solder-down calibrated sensor set with SPI interface.
Key Features:
Small form factors to fit easily into customer applications.
Inexpensive. Uses available automotive grade MEMS sensors.
Used in other CCT products – 1000s made. Tried and tested solution.
Provides raw rate and acceleration data to support customer algorithms.
Calibration of gain, temperature bias, acceleration affects, and alignment.
Software driver support and integration documentation provided as with other CCT products.

Applications
Stabilization
Robotics
Instrumentation
Movement Sensing